BLOG #1 Top 5 Sources of News and Info

 I do not consider myself the most informed person when it comes to news outlets. Typically, I hear something by word of mouth, or through social media, and then further investigate it through what I believe to be reputable sources. My top sources of news are: 

1. TikTok

By far, the source I most frequently look to for news is the TikTok app. With the use of short form videos, I feel like I am getting the most relevant information as quickly as it becomes available. There are also creators that will "do the research so you don't have to" by providing short summaries of major news events, usually citing popular outlets for the information they are sharing in the video. While you shouldn't trust everything you see and hear on TikTok, it is a good starting point for receiving the latest information and being able to fact-check on your own. 

2. Family & Friends

While I do like to form my own opinions, it is nice to gather ideas and information from those around me from time to time to perhaps hear a different perspective that can inform my own. I view my parents as older and wiser sources of information, and they often guide me in which news sources are biased, unbiased, or provide context for situations that maybe my age would make me ignorant to- sometimes this works both ways! With the gap between our generations, my perspective and that of my parents are very different, and it's interesting to see how that impacts our perception of news media. As for my friends, most of us have similar views but may have seen additional information about an event or situation that we then share with each other, making us all more informed. I think it's always great to have people in you rlife that share your beliefs and others that challenge them.

3. Apple News

I used to overlook those not so occasional alerts from Apple News about whatever major event was going on in the world. As often as they pop-up, I typically just clear the notification and go on about my day. However, in the midst of election season, I have found myself actually reading those alerts and following them to the articles being highlighted to read more about the topic. With how accessible it is, Apple News is a quick and easy way to stay informed about recent news all from the comfort of your own phone. 

4. NPR- National Public Radio

NPR was a source I found while doing research for a class in a previous semester. This source provides information on a variety of topics, and I especially like the selection of podcasts. Whether you are looking for news in Politics, Science, Health, or Business etc., they have articles that will benefit your search. There is plenty of unbiased content that is reputable and able to be cited in academic work as well. In addition to typical news, other perks of this source are subsections of culture and music, along with podcasts and shows. 

5. New York Times

While I do enjoy my daily wordle or occasional crossword, I also look somewhat frequently to the New York Times publications for news. Growing up, I think this was a source I could recognize by name due to its popularity, before I was necessarily interested in news. I remember a specific conversation I had with my dad on the way to school years ago, about what I had heard regarding some local news story, and I said, "No dad, I'm 13, I don't watch the news." Well, now I'm no longer 15 years old, and I'm still not all that great at watching the news, but I try. I realize that the NYT has some biased content, but as a consumer I take it as my responsibility to look for the facts, and form my opinion regardless of the bias present.